Getting ready for a long trip in the car? This epic list of road trip snacks you can make at home before you go will really hit the spot!
There are so many things that go into planning a road trip, so we have put together this list of 27 road trip snack ideas to keep you satisfied so you can focus on the drive.
Whether you’re the driver and will only have one hand free or you want to prevent your kids from getting cranky on a long car ride, there are so many options for snacks to pack.
These snacks are mess free, store nicely, and taste great.
They are also easy to eat items that don’t require a lot of utensils or preparation.
With these DIY recipes, you can avoid venturing out to the grocery store before your trip.
You can decide what goes into your snacks so if you have allergies or like to watch what you eat, you have more control than buying a pre-packed snack from the convenience store.
Not to mention, this will save you some money during a time where you might already be spending a lot on travel or vacation needs.
The kids will love recipes like the homemade Rice Krispie Treats and the Uncrustables sandwiches.
And the driver will appreciate the ease of snacking on the road that some of these snacks like the Peanut Butter Protein Balls and Air Fryer Potato Chips offer.
And kudos to you if you can even make it out of the driveway with #27.
Spend some time in the kitchen before your next road trip with some of these recipes and you and your stomach will be well prepared for a few long hours on the road.
Isn’t the best part of traveling the road trip snacks you get to enjoy along the way?
If you or your kids are a fan of store bought rice krispie treats, this is for you!
Can you blame the kids for grabbing a box of these pre packaged goodies in the store?
They are a sweet treat that can satisfy your sweet tooth while you’re on the go.
But don’t worry, you can make them at home and have a treat that tastes just as good, if not better, than the treats you can find in store.
If you’re turned off by the idea of the family having sticky hands after eating this, here’s a tip: wet your hands with a little bit of cold water and you won’t have to deal with the stickiness!
These will become one of your family’s new favorite road trip snacks!
Many of our go-to road trip snacks for kids are high in processed sugar and ingredients we can’t even pronounce.
This fruit leather recipe contains just four ingredients that you probably already have at home!
It’s so easy to make, too.
And you don’t even need a dehydrator.
Just puree your fruit with honey and lemon juice, spread it evenly on a piece of parchment paper, and let it bake in the oven until the “leather” has had all of the moisture taken out of it.
You can even leave the parchment paper on it until it’s ready to eat so it won’t be sticking to everything.
If you can make a road trip snack for your kids that they will love, with all natural ingredients, that’s a total score!
Don’t let the name of this recipe fool you, this is not limited to just kids.
When preparing road trip snacks for kids, adults and teens can also enjoy this tasty and customizable trail mix.
Some standard ingredients that are very likely to already be in your pantry include: pretzels, nuts, cheerios, raisins, marshmallows, and M&M’s but feel free to switch any of these out depending on your taste.
These make a great snack for after-school pickups which may feel like a road trip in itself.
A mix of flavors in your snacks for a road trip is crucial for keeping everyone satisfied.
You can use whatever spices you like or have on hand to give yourself a crispy and savory snack by roasting chickpeas in the oven.
Whether you use canned or dry beans, make sure to use plenty of olive oil before putting it in the oven!
This will help add some extra crunch to your snack.
One of our favorite road trip snacks is granola bars.
But buying these in store can lead to taking in a lot of preservatives added in which help them last longer on the shelf.
Not only is this recipe a great alternative for those extra add-ins but it’s much cheaper to make too!
These are also great for taking with you on adventures once you’ve reached your destination so it doesn’t have to be limited to just a car snack.
Keep in mind that the honey and brown sugar in this recipe is what helps the granola all stick together so make sure you don’t skip out on that part!
Road trip snacks that contain real ingredients is the way to go!
Switch out your favorite pre-packaged cheese crackers for this homemade alternative and no one will know the difference!
Just like how the boxes in store have so many flavors, you can also switch up the cheese and spices you use.
The original flavor is made with cheddar cheese so that is a great place to start.
Once you have your crackers baked, keep them stored in an air-tight container and they will stay fresh!
7. Puppy Chow
Whether you call this snack puppy chow, muddy buddies, or monkey munch, there’s no arguing they make for great snacks for a road trip!
Although they are already a sweet snack, you want to avoid making them overly sweet.
To avoid this, a good tip is to allow the snack to cool to room temperature before sprinkling your powdered sugar on top.
This way, the sugar does not get absorbed into the cereal and it helps it all separate out better.
You can also use dark or semi-sweet chocolate to lower the sweetness level a tad, but no one is complaining if you go for milk chocolate!
Popcorn is high on many people’s list of snacks to take on a road trip.
But rather than pop a bag ahead of time and serve it straight, add some cheese to it to spice it up.
Many passengers will probably be on their devices watching movies or tv during the journey, so this makes a great snack for that.
It’s super simple to make and adds some excitement to your tried and true popcorn!
Although corn nuts are made from kernels just like popcorn, they should be categorized as a completely different snack.
Whether you bake or fry them, you have to start off by soaking your kernels overnight and making sure they dry off properly.
Both methods of frying and baking can cause some oil to splatter and the kernels to pop so you have to be very careful.
But the risk is so worth it for these road trip snacks!
Once they are done cooking, you can season them however you’d like!
This recipe features a few different options for seasonings so take your pick, or mix them all together!
Whether you’re a kid who loves lunchables or you’re an adult who loves charcuterie boards, these DIY snack packs are a solid choice!
If you already have lunchbox containers with different compartments sectioned out, this becomes so much easier.
You can put in all kinds of snacks!
Start with your favorite cheese, crackers, fruit, and nuts.
Or you can be adventurous and try new foods in your lunchables.
When you’re thinking of road trip snack ideas to keep everyone happy, this should come to mind!
Roasted sunflower seeds are always a good bet when it comes to finding a snack for a long drive.
They taste so good, there’s nothing wrong with eating them straight!
But they can also be combined with your other favorite road trip snacks to make an even better combination.
There are endless options on how to season these so you will never be in a rut with being bored by the same old flavors.
Once you see how easy it is to roast your own seeds, you will never again feel the need to buy a package of these in store.
This is one of the best breakfast snacks for a road trip.
Overnight oats don’t require cooking and are easily transportable so as long as you prepare them the night before, you have a delicious snack waiting for you as you begin your road trip.
The strawberry cheesecake flavors in this will make it feel like a dessert but with the fruit, yogurt, and oats, it makes for a perfect breakfast.
You can even freeze these and let them thaw out in your cooler while you’re driving.
Glass mason jars are great for storing these but as long as you have an airtight container, they will be in good shape for your trip.
The idea of eating vegetables that have been sitting in a cooler for a few hours probably doesn’t sound very tempting.
Dip them into some homemade hummus and they will top your mind for snacks to take on a road trip.
Hummus can be stored very easily, as long as it is kept refrigerated.
It is also way simpler to make than you might believe.
As long as you have your chick peas, garlic, and your choice of spices, you will have an authentic Mediterranean snack that will tempt you to eat your veggies on the road.
This also goes great with crackers and naan bread.
14. Easy Beef Jerky
It’s so rewarding when you can prepare your favorite road trip snacks ahead of time and they taste even better than what you would have bought at the store.
The price of beef jerky can slowly rack up so if you can make it yourself at home, you’re starting your road trip off on a good note.
Beef jerky is perfect for road trips because they don’t have to be refrigerated, you don’t need any utensils, and they will satisfy the hungriest of passengers.
Plan to prepare your beef and marinade the night before you cook it so when you wake up, you can immediately put it in the dehydrator!
These handheld sandwiches are great for when you’re craving more than just road trip snacks but not quite a meal.
They’re bite sized and not going to fall apart into a mess like most sandwiches can.
If you make it the night before you leave, you can put it in the refrigerator and cut it up easily in the morning.
These are as easy to make as they are to eat!
When planning snacks to take on a road trip, you don’t have to completely give up on avoiding processed junk foods.
If you still want to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding too much sugar, these protein balls are perfect.
The added protein powder helps keep you full so you’re not seeking out cookies an hour after snacking.
You don’t even need any extra tool to make these naturally sweet snacks!
You can keep these in the freezer until you’re ready to hit the road and let them thaw in the car.
Peanut butter lovers, take a look at our epic list of even more peanut butter snacks.
Before a long car ride, it can be almost instinctive to grab for a couple bags of fried potato chips.
Potato chips are tasty and convenient- but once you start baking your own crunchy and salty vegetables chips you’ll never turn back to those bagged snacks for a road trip.
These help you get in an extra serving of vegetables and satisfy your need for something crunchy while driving.
And if you’re craving potato chips, good news!
You can definitely use potatoes when baking your chips- but we recommend baking all of your favorite vegetables.
Get on board with our nifty list of gluten-free snacks here.
When you hit the road really early in the morning, you may forget to grab a bite for breakfast.
Fortunately, these blueberry muffins will come to your rescue.
You can bake them in bulk then freeze them until you’re ready to grab your road trip snacks.
You can even use frozen blueberries to make baking them even easier.
No promises if you make a big batch of these that they will last the entire road trip.
Can’t decide between salty and sweet road trip snack ideas?
Why not both!
Using three ingredients and a plastic sandwich bag, you can make your own yogurt covered pretzels to satisfy any and all tastes.
Throw these in the freezer and pull them out when you get ready to travel and you’ll be so satisfied during your drive.
These are easy to munch on and take no time to make!
If you’re participating in a low-carb diet, these cheese crisps will become one of your favorite road trip snacks.
You really only need one ingredient- cheese!
But you can add in spices and seasonings if you want.
Make sure you let these sit out and cool after baking so they can get extra crispy.
Now, you can satisfy your craving for chips or crackers, without overindulging in carbs.
Mason jars and condiment cups are such a great tool when preparing snacks for a road trip, especially for these fruit and yogurt parfaits.
The mason jars will prevent fruit and yogurt from spilling everywhere if you hit a bump and the condiment cups will keep your granola from getting soggy in the yogurt.
These parfaits can stay fresh for up to a week, as long as it is kept in a cold cooler, so you don’t have to enjoy it right away before it goes bad.
Even if you consider a busy morning spent shuttling kids to school a road trip, this is a great option for mobile snacking!
Planning road trip snacks for kids can be tricky if you have picky eaters.
If your kids love uncrustables pb&j sandwiches, here’s a recipe for making it yourself!
A good tip to keep in mind is to put a thin layer of peanut butter on both pieces of bread.
This will prevent the jelly from directly touching the bread so it won’t get soggy.
You may want to buy a sandwich cutter and sealer but they will be a great investment when your kids eat these sandwiches like there is no tomorrow!
These can also be kept in the freezer until it’s time to go so they thaw in time for lunch- or they can be eaten frozen!
Here’s another one of the best road trip snack ideas for when you’re craving something salty.
Health benefits aside, seaweed makes for a great snack- even if you’re eating them straight out of the package.
But if you roast them in oil and sea salt for a few minutes, you will end up with a crispy sheet with so much flavor.
Try to eat just one or two of these.
Before you know it, the whole batch will be all eaten up—guilt free, of course!
Fruit can be hard to eat when you’re on a road trip.
They have to be washed and typically have to stay refrigerated.
Not to mention the mess from the juices spilling everywhere.
If you dehydrate your mangoes ahead of time you’ll avoid all of these issues!
Add the tajin if you want some spice to balance out the sweetness- but this is optional.
This is a great way to add some fruit to your road trip snacks.
Your list of road trip snacks for kids is incomplete without fruit snacks!
You can even get the whole family involved in making these at home!
Your kids will feel so accomplished when they’re buckled in and enjoying a snack that they helped make.
They’re definitely tasty enough to keep the kids happy despite being strapped into a car for a long period of time.
Who knew that such a tasty snack was so easy to make?
Avoiding the grocery store for snacks for a road trip shouldn’t be a scary thought.
If you have potatoes, oil, and seasonings, you can make your own potato chips to pack for the road!
These stay great at room temperature but if you want to be absolutely sure they’ll be fresh for your trip, you can put them in the freezer until the day of travel.
Rather than collect many bags of different flavors, air fry the potatoes and season separate batches however you’d like!
This way, you can have all of the flavors you want without buying an unnecessary amount of chips.
This tried-and-true snack recipe came out so good, y’all.
I can’t imagine that you will be able to get more than five or six into a reusable baggie and onto the road with you.
Because you will taste-test these until they are gone.
But if you want to give it a shot, or at least say you tried, here’s our Bacon Cracker recipe that is a little sweet, a little salty, buttery, and totally poppable.
Plus, bacon.
Some people would argue that fig newtons aren’t a cookie but actually a mini cake.
Wherever you stand on that argument, there’s no denying that these cookies/cakes are so delicious and a great choice when packing snacks for a road trip.
They’re so tasty, bite-sized, and mess free.
And if you make them yourself, you know exactly what is going into your snack and can make adjustments based on your taste.
This recipe tastes remarkably close to the original recipe.
With the soft dough surrounding the dried figs, you probably won’t need to worry about storing these since they’ll be eaten up pretty quickly.
But if you do want to store them, they can be saved at room temperature or in the fridge.
NEW: Salty snacks for the savory lover in you!
The bottom line
It doesn’t matter your role on a road trip.
Whether you’re the driver, the navigator or DJ (or a sleeping passenger in the backseat), noshing on your favorite road trip snacks is key to ensuring that the drive is as enjoyable as possible.
Cruise through this list when you are prepping for the trip out and want to make a road trip snack that’s homemade and delish!
Both kids and adults will find snacks to satisfy any taste they may have.
And if you need even more, try this.
Hopefully, you’ve found something new on this list for your next road trip!
28 Road Trip Snacks For All The Munchy Miles Ahead
Pull up this epic list of better-for-you road trip snacks to prep before hitting the highway!
Ingredients
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Strawberry Banana Fruit Leather
- Kids’ Trail Mix
- Extra Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas
- Chewy Granola Bars
- Homemade “Cheez-Its” Crackers
- Puppy Chow
- Cheese Popcorn
- Fried Or Baked Corn Nuts
- DIY Cheese And Crackers “Lunchables”
- Roasted Sunflower Seeds
- Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Easy Authentic Hummus
- Easy Beef Jerky
- Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels
- Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Baked, Oil-Free Vegetable Chips
- Blueberry Muffins
- Low-Sugar, Super Easy Yogurt Covered Pretzels
- Easy, Cheesy Baked Cheese Crisps
- Grab-n-Go Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits
- PBJ “Uncrustables” Sandwiches
- Roasted Seaweed Snack
- Dehydrated Mangoes With Tajin
- Homemade Fruit Snacks
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- NEW: Bacon Crackers
- Homemade Fig Newtons
Instructions
- Pick one or two road trip snacks from this epic list!
- Make them ahead before you leave.
- Enjoy when having a snack attack!
- Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!